Job Title: Legal Internship - Detained Adult Program, Direct Representation
Job Responsibilities:
Direct Rep Legal Interns working with the Detained Adult Program at a reputed firm will have the opportunity to assist staff in representing detained clients in their immigration proceedings. The internship responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal research and writing in support of detained clients applying for relief before the immigration court.
- Conducting individualized country conditions research and collection of primary evidence in support of detained clients applying for relief before the Immigration Court.
- Assisting in the preparation and filing of applications for immigration relief.
- Assisting with interpretation and translation, if possible.
- Communicating with clients and their family members via telephone.
- Attending court hearings and/or visiting clients in detention.
- Engaging in client service and communication.
- Collecting and assessing evidence.
Amica Center is committed to ensuring that interns are able to work on a wide array of tasks and legal matters within the scope of the firm’s work.
Education and Experience Information:
- Currently enrolled in law school.
- Ability to commit 15-20 hours a week.
- Strong interest in human rights, social justice, and immigration rights issues.
- Excellent research and writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and within a team.
- Intellectually curious.
- Willingness to work with individuals from low-income communities who might have criminal histories and/or mental health illnesses.
- Fluency in Spanish or a second language is strongly preferred.
Required Resources:
- A laptop or computer (Amica Center may provide access to a temporary laptop as needed).
- Reliable internet.
- A phone.
Salary Information:
Internships are unpaid; however, Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit or funding. Additionally, #***# invites all prospective interns to apply for the Amica Center Scholarship for the Fall 2025 semester. The firm will distribute four $1,000 tax-free scholarships to eligible interns for the primary purpose of educational and professional development. Scholarship funds are intended to be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the institution. Scholarship recipients are advised to speak to a tax-expert and report the scholarship funds in their gross income to the IRS.
Application Process:
To be considered for the internship, candidates must fill out the application link provided and attach the following materials in .pdf format to the application:
- A cover letter indicating interest in the position and describing experiences, personal and professional, that have motivated the application.
- A resume.
- At least 2 references.
- A writing sample, such as legal memoranda, briefs, research papers, or articles. Only one writing sample is required and preferred.
Applicants are encouraged to apply to only one department within the firm. For example, if applying for this internship with the Immigration Impact Lab, do not also apply for an internship with the Detained Adult Program. Applicants should choose the department that best matches their preference, skills, and experience.
Deadline to Apply:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the internship application will be open until July 25, 2025.
Remote Work:
To keep internships accessible to all students regardless of geographic location, all Fall 2025 internships may be remote. Applicants from local law schools and those from outside the D.C. area are encouraged to apply. There is no requirement for interns to conduct any in-person work during their internships, but there may be opportunities to appear in or observe court in person. There will be opportunities for in-office work, in-person meetings, and events with staff and fellow interns in compliance with the firm’s COVID-19 policies.
